BishopEdgarVannII.jpg

EvanWeiner.jpg

Share

Aaron Eckels for Crain Content Studio

Evan Weiner, President and CEO, Edw. C. Levy Co.

M.RoyWilson.jpg

Share

Aaron Eckels for Crain Content Studio

Dr. M. Roy Wilson, President, Wayne State University

Deloitte Michigan Managing Partner Mark Davidoff and Crain Communications President KC Crain gathered a group of diverse business and community leaders for a roundtable discussion immediately following the election. The discussion focused on the new governor and her administration and pathways to sustainable success for Michigan. This essay summarizes the collective perspectives from the assembly.

Discussion captured by Tom Walsh for Crain Content Studio to represent the overall sentiment of the group and not the views of any one individual or organization.

Words to lead by

In reflecting on the Whitmer era, the Roundtable participants were asked by moderator Tamika Tremaglio of Deloitte (pictured here) to share in one word their hopes, their fears and what they think Gov. Whitmer’s legacy can be.

Fears

Legacy

As newly elected leaders are being sworn in across the country, the citizens of Michigan welcome a new Governor, a new Senate Majority Leader and a new Speaker of the House. As community leaders and stakeholders in Michigan’s economy and future, the timing was right to take stock in the strengths and opportunities imbedded in the great state of Michigan. The leaders at the gathering expressed sincere gratitude for Governor Snyder’s leadership over the last eight years and are excited to welcome Governor Whitmer. While the perspectives from the roundtable discussion about the future are shared here, there is a hope that the aspirations expressed will ring true. The goal across the table is clear: support our state’s leadership in setting a path that ensures sustainable success for Michigan today and for the future.

Michigan heads into 2019 in a stronger fiscal and economic position than eight years ago. There is a sense of pride of our new innovations in automotive, engineering and mobility and growth in emerging sectors such as energy, food, health and IT. Detroit is rising again. Unemployment sits at an amazing low of 3.9 percent and the higher education system continues to attract the best and brightest. And thankfully these successes give Michigan the opportunity to tackle some of the most challenging issues.

However, one cannot overlook the underachievement in K-12 education, a widening gap of economic and social equity and an underfunded infrastructure system, from roads to water. While our roundtable participants did not always agree on a single strategy to fix each of these tough challenges, there was consensus that Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Legislature would benefit from support and engagement from corporate and community leaders. Here are the principle pillars expressed to make this happen.

Pillar 1: Put Us In, Coach

A common agenda and a cohesive narrative that tells the story of where we want to go is a critical starting point for continued success.

With several lifetimes of experience around the table moving complex organizations and differing visions through processes that create unifying agendas, there was consensus that collective leadership from across Michigan needs to work together to set the tone.

Our participants, with their deep passion for Michigan and its future, stand ready to help drive Michigan’s continued progress.

Put us to work.

Photo

Aaron Eckels for Crain Content Studio

Tonya Allen, President and CEO, The Skillman Foundation, talks to the group.

Pillar 2: Insist on One Michigan

“Rough and tumble” has always been a good descriptor for politics, but technology and social media have amplified it to a point where incivility seems to be the order of the day. As one roundtable participant said, “the enemy here is the extreme polarization in both parties.” So, the question is how can the political rhetoric be dialed down? The first step is clear focus on an agenda that serves all the people of Michigan. Not just what is good for one company or one industry or one constituency. The litmus test for accountability on legislation and policy direction might be, “Is this good for all Michiganians?”

There is confidence that this mindset can yield success. It is not necessary to look very far, or very far back in time, for proof positive that collaboration — across party lines and geographic borders, with a spirit of joint public-private endeavors — can work wonders, as it did with the Grand Bargain and Detroit’s rise from Chapter 9 bankruptcy. As one of our roundtable participants pointed out, “We have an opportunity here at the beginning of a new era where the lions and the lambs can lie down together.”

Pillar 3: Champion the Hard Causes

Throughout our roundtable discussion, two priorities quickly rose to the top: education and infrastructure. In both areas, the assembly agreed proven strategies needed to be identified and the very best and brightest people needed to be deployed to implement programs to rapidly upgrade Michigan’s noncompetitive performance in these critical areas.

Michigan’s below-average ranking among the 50 states in educational attainment — which these days correlates directly with subpar personal income and other prosperity measures — is especially ominous.

The education problems plaguing the state transcend socioeconomic and racial boundaries; they span every level of affluence in almost every school district, evidenced by the most recent M-STEP results on third grade reading scores.

The 21st Century Infrastructure Commissions report made clear what is well known by anyone driving Michigan’s roads, we are under investing in critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water, energy and broadband.

But the challenges are not insurmountable. Great leaders set clear priorities, then quickly align people and resources to find solutions.

Whether it is education or infrastructure, solutions may demand more than just budget dollars.

Our leaders should be committed to being champions for these hard causes.

Pillar 4: Commit to the Future

Our panel could not conclude the evening without envisioning the possibilities ahead. As rapid changes in technology transform the nature of work, there are new prospects for Michigan in building a future-focused economic and workforce development strategy — one that prepares our children for the future they so rightfully deserve.

Around the table there was agreement: Michigan should remain in the pole position of our signature industry — automobile design and production — as autonomous vehicles disrupt the industry’s century-old business model. Michigan can lead in the future of mobility or other areas of innovation and disruptive technologies. Our state need not be leapfrogged by geographies. Let us be bold! Sometimes it is necessary to take risk, acknowledge failures, learn and move ahead. Business and community leadership will stand with our leaders to celebrate risk rather than be outdone due to complacency driven by the fear of failure. Future generations are counting on our steadfastness to success.

As the roundtable discussion concluded there was acknowledgment that it was time to move beyond the 2018 election.

Governor Whitmer is now the governor of all the citizens of Michigan. Our gatherer leaders need and want her and all of Michigan political leadership to be successful.

Business and community leaders from across of Michigan are looking for pathways to take up the battle cry that will help propel a One Michigan approach to our collective aspiration of a successful, sustainable Michigan.

We end the night where we started, “How can we help?”

All the best, Governor. And don’t hesitate to call or text.

Get Free Newsletters

Make sure you don't miss a thing by subscribing to our newsletters.

Email Address

Join Today

With a Crain’s Detroit Membership you get exclusive access, insights and experiences to help you succeed in business.